In a move to elevate Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), in collaboration with Cisco Academy, has launched an extensive training programme aimed at equipping over 500 computer science lecturers with the skills needed to implement newly developed Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.
These programmes are the result of the unbundling of the traditional HND Computer Science curriculum into specialised fields that align with the demands of the modern digital landscape.
The opening ceremony of this landmark initiative was held virtually on the Cisco Webex platform, bringing together lecturers from 113 institutions across the country.
The event was marked by insightful remarks from key stakeholders, underscoring the importance of the training in enhancing the quality of education in Nigeria’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions.
In his welcome address, Mr. Aliyu Hassan Imafidor, General Manager of the NBTE Centre of Excellence for TVET, highlighted the critical role this training will play in empowering lecturers to deliver the new HND programmes effectively. He urged participants to fully engage in the programme, noting that the skills they acquire will significantly enhance their teaching capabilities and contribute to the successful implementation of the new curricula.
The Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje, formally declared the workshop open, emphasizing the strategic importance of this training. “This programme is not just about capacity building; it is a crucial part of our broader initiative to modernize our TVET curricula and ensure that our graduates are prepared to meet the needs of today’s industries,” Bugaje stated.
The new HND programmes include HND Cyber Security and Data Protection, HND Networking and Cloud Computing andHND Software and Web Development.
Additionally, Bugaje announced plans for an upcoming training session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) by Cisco, which will further prepare lecturers who will be implementing the new HND Artificial Intelligence (AI) curriculum to incorporate this transformative technology into their teaching and research.
He also noted that participation in this Cisco training, along with similar training programmes from the NBTE, will be a prerequisite for the resource inspection and accreditation of the new HND programmes. This ensures that institutions are fully equipped to deliver education that meets global standards.
Speaking on behalf of Cisco Academy, Project Manager Mr. Imoh Akpan welcomed participants and highlighted Cisco’s long-standing commitment to education and capacity building.
He noted that over 20 million learners worldwide have participated in Cisco Networking Academy courses, and in Nigeria, over 540,000 students have been enrolled, 40 per cent of whom are women and since 2000 Cisco Academy in Nigeria has provided impactful support in the country’s education and socio-economic sectors by partnering with government, industry partners, educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations across the country.
He urged Nigerian lecturers to build their technical skills and stay current with the latest industry trends, ensuring their skills remain relevant.
The training, which will be conducted by the University of Jos Cisco Academy, is expected to have a profound impact on the quality of computer science education in Nigeria, aligning it with global trends and industry requirements.
As Nigeria continues to position itself within the Fourth Industrial Revolution, initiatives like this are crucial in ensuring that the country’s educational institutions produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also industry ready. The NBTE-Cisco partnership stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in driving educational advancement and preparing the next generation for the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
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